A Weekend for the girls @ Lake Tekapo

Initially the plan was to go to Wanaka for four nights, but circumstances changes, we opted to go to Tekapo just for the weekend. We (Alice, Pat, Suezette & I) travelled up on Friday afternoon, stopping at a cafe in Fairlie for the 1st of many coffee's. The weather forcast was not the best, but that was never going to be a problem to us. We awoke on Saturday morning to snow falling, later changing to rain which continued all day.....a day indoors, spent reading, swopping ideas & helping each other with camera settings and computor skills - lots of fun and a really relaxing day.
Sunday, once again woke to snow, but fortunately the sun came out mid morning so we set off to do some photography......below is some of my images.

Saturday evening I used my Lensbaby along with a glass of wine.....here are the results.

Focus Night Shoot

Last night Focus Aorangi Photography held a night shoot......ofcourse it was very chilly, but we were all rugged up to combat the cold. We met on the Piazza that leads down to Caroline Bay.

The one below is at the bottom of the Piazza steps, with the fountain at the front.

Below.......at the top of Piazza, the lift opening for those that don't wish to do the steps!!

Below....The now unused Hydro Grand Hotel -

a Timaru iconic structure, and protected by the NZ Heritage Trust

Below.....car trails on the loop road

Taiko Valley, South Canterbury

Last Sunday afternoon our local photography club ran a landscape workshop & fieldtrip with the hope of catching a wonderful sunset. The Taiko Valley is just west of Timaru. We were given some tutoring for a hour, then off we went to try and put the theory into practise. The shadows accentuated by the setting sun created wonderful rural patterns, unfortunately the sunset did not produce the colours we had hoped but none the less, did provide some warm light.

St Marks Church, Otipua, South Canterbury

Today I went for a wee drive (about 5 minutes from where I live) to the very small rural settlement of Otipua. This is where the old St Mark's Anglican Church is situated. Built on a small hill in 1893 of local bluestone it is surrounded by large trees & rhodo's. Sadly, the grounds aren't being cared for and I think the church is not longer used - the door was locked.

Jack Point & Lighthouse, June 25th 2011

This morning, being the closest weekend day to the shortest day, therefore the latest sunrise approx 8.15am. I thought there maybe a possibility of a nice sunrise combined with the volcanic ash that has been navigating the globe.......I wasn't disappointed. Here is a few of the shots I took. Doug came along for the walk - 5 minute by car, 30 minutes of walking - very pleasant.

Mt Horrible - South Canterbury

This afternoon I took myself off for a little drive to Mt Horrible, only about 10 minutes away. Unfortunately, the weather was very gloomy so not a particularily successful outing. The shortest day today, and we have not seen the sun at all!! Onwards and upwards from here.